Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders

Equipment & Tools

Physician order not to perform CPR if heart stops or breathing ceases. Tested on CNA, EMT, and Paramedic exams.

Resident care connections: Right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times. Right to privacy for personal care, mail, phone conversations, medical information.

Differential Diagnosis

When studying do not resuscitate (dnr) orders, carefully distinguish it from related but distinct concepts: advance directives, cpr aed, resident rights. Exam questions often test your ability to select the most specific and appropriate answer when multiple options seem partially correct. Look for the option that most completely addresses the scenario presented.

Patient Communication

When communicating with residents about do not resuscitate (dnr) orders:

• Therapeutic silence: allow time for the resident to process and respond
• For cognitively impaired: use simple sentences, one instruction at a time, consistent routine
• Cultural sensitivity: respect food preferences, spiritual practices, family dynamics
• Use open-ended questions to encourage residents to share feelings
• For hearing-impaired: face the resident, speak clearly (not louder), reduce background noise

Troubleshooting

When do not resuscitate (dnr) orders does not go as expected, systematically review each step of the procedure. Check equipment calibration, verify technique, and repeat the measurement if results seem inconsistent with the clinical picture. Report discrepancies to the supervisor rather than guessing at the correct value.